Battalion Chief FF Medic - INTERNAL ONLY

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Commands, directs and supervises the activities and personnel (paid and volunteer) involved in fire, rescue, and basic emergency medical services.  Duties include assistance with training, recommendation of discipline and evaluation of fire rescue department personnel in the operation and maintenance of fire and EMS equipment and in techniques of firefighting and the provision of emergency medical service.  The incumbent has complete responsibility over on-duty shift activities and personnel in stations and at fire and EMS incidents until properly relieved.  Work is performed under the general supervision of a Deputy Fire Chief and the Fire Chief/Public Safety Director.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The following statements describe the principal functions of the job and its scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive list of work requirements.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

• Respond to all major alarms, either fire or emergency medical calls; evaluate situation and administer medical treatment.
• Maintains Florida or National paramedic license and follows all recertification requirements/protocols to remain continuously certified and 
  provide advanced life support medical treatment.
• Maintain records, logs and statistics that pertain to fire and rescue responses along with company fire inspections, training activities and the maintenance of facilities and equipment.
• Provide instruction and training; evaluate and counsel subordinates; determine need for discipline and recommend appropriate actions; maintain and verify time sheets.
• Determine the method of fire suppression; supervise the laying of hose lines and direct fire streams to extinguish and contain fires.
• Conducts cause and origin and fire cause investigations as needed.
• Ensure appropriate resources are committed and properly utilized for all fire and EMS incidents; including but not limited to fires, vehicle wrecks and road/lane closures, service calls, technical rescue and hazardous materials calls.
• Assume command at fire and emergency scenes until appropriately relieved; review incident reports; coordinate with external agencies and response partners.
• Participates in promoting fire and EMS prevention/education and other safety education efforts throughout the County.  
• Responds to fires and other emergency conditions, to include on-the-scene fighting of fire.
• Assign specific tasks for the Lieutenants/Captains and crews to complete; maintain radio contact with other units at all times.
• Provide on scene command and control to volunteers and County Firefighter/EMT's/Paramedics, and others as required through implementation of the Incident Command System.
• Participate in the use and maintenance of firefighting and emergency medical equipment.
• Maintains a professional and safe unit and work area adhering to established safety policies and the image desired for the organization.
• Participate in drills, classes and schools in firefighting, emergency medical treatment, supervisory practices and other fire service and EMS related areas.
• Follows consistently the Board policies and procedures.
• Responds productively to change and performs all other related tasks as directed.
• Submits purchase requisitions and budget requests to the chain of command for the operation of shift duties and personnel.
• Prepares and is responsible for preparing reports of activities within a shift to the Public Safety Director, through the chain of command.
• Works productively with all personnel throughout the chain of command.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, managers, supervisors, directors, elected officials, vendors, and the general public.
• Knowledge of current methods of advanced life support delivery and response protocols for: hazardous material & specialized rescue, planning, operations, and mitigation.  
• Knowledge of latest training techniques and principles of instruction.  
• Knowledge of current fire safety codes, laws, rules, and regulations including the fire prevention code.  
• Knowledge of principles and practices of fire safety and inspection techniques. 
• Knowledge of firefighting techniques, fire ground safety, and emergency medical treatment.   
• Ability to plan, evaluate, assign, and coordinate activities performed by fire personnel.  
• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relation with emergency personnel, employees, officials and the general public.  
• Ability to perform during high stress situations.  
• Ability to prepare reports on fire services activities, policy, and procedural recommendations, and budgetary requirements.  
• Skill in managing an essential service with limited program funds.  
• Ability to be self-directed and capable of independent decision making. 

PHYSICAL SKILLS:

This work requires the occasional exertion of over 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, frequently requires sitting and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, using hands to finger, handle or feel, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring  devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs., must meet physical and medical requirements for firefighter and hazardous material per N.F.P.A Standards.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of ten (10) years' experience in firefighting and EMS skills. Must attain National Registry paramedic certification within probationary period.  (5) years progressive experience in supervision and management, to have included budget management.  Associate's degree in Fire Science or related fields preferred within one (1) year of appointment.  Working experience within a combination volunteer/career department preferred.  Five (5) years experience managing union issues preferred. 

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:

Current State of Florida Driver’s license.  Minimum Fire Officer 1 required, will be required to obtain Fire Officer 2 within one year.  Current State of Florida Firefighter II.  Current State of Florida Fire Instructor I.  State of Florida or National Registry Paramedic (ACLS, PALS). Current State of Florida Hazardous Materials Technician (Operations Level) preferred. 16 Hour Emergency Vehicle Operation (CEVO or EVOC) Current CPR/AED for Health Care Provider (BLS).  

OTHER JOB-RELATED REQUIREMENTS:

 Disaster Essential.  Paid FIREFIGHTERS in Highlands County will not be able to operate as volunteer FIREFIGHTERS in Highlands County.  This does NOT preclude them from being administrative chiefs or administrative members of any Highlands County VFD. A CJIS check is required as part of the background check process.

THE HIGHLANDS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Does not Discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, religious belief, color, national origin, disability/handicap, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetics or any other legally protected group/class. We are proud to be a drug free workplace. Screening tests for illegal drug use may be required as a condition of employment